Spearfish in Lawrence County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Thoen Stone
Historic Marker
October 16, 2021
1. Thoen Stone Marker (Front)
came to these hills in 1833 seven of us
De Lacompt
Ezra Kind
G W Wood
T Brown
R Kent
Wm King
Indian Crow
all ded but me Ezra Kind
Killed by Ind beyond the high hill got our gold June 1834
got all of the gold we could carry our ponys all got by the Indians
I hav lost my gun and nothing to eat and indians hunting me
Back
This monument records the tragic end of the energetic and aggressive prospecting, Ezra Kind party, that first discovered gold in the Black Hills, fourteen years before the great gold rush in California.
Ezra Kind, hiding on Lookout Mountain, scratched his story on a slab of sandstone, later found by Louis Thoen in 1887, at the foot of this mountain.
Results of this struggle saved the Indian his homeland for forty years and delayed the development of these hills and diverted westward progress of our people far to the north and south. In this tragedy. Right or wrong is not involved, only survival.
A challenge to the Sons and Daughters of the Pioneers to match their courage with that of Ezra Kind will make history in years to come.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 44° 28.904′ N, 103° 52.102′ W. Marker is in Spearfish, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. Marker is on Thoen Stone Road, 0.3 miles south of St Joe Street. Located at Thoen Stone Monument in Spearfish. Can be found at the top of a small hill up a short winding path from Thoen Stone Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spearfish SD 57783, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Thoen Stone (here, next to this marker); The Mail (approx. ¾ mile away); Spearfish Canyon Flora and Fauna (approx. 4.6 miles away); Spearfish Canyon Through Time (approx. 4.6 miles away); Frawley Brothers Upper Ranch (approx. 7.8 miles away); Center of the Country (approx. 7.9 miles away); Theodore Roosevelt “The American” (approx. 7.9 miles away); Mount Roosevelt (approx. 7.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spearfish.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
October 16, 2021
2. Thoen Stone Marker (Back)
October 16, 2021
3. Thoen Stone Marker
Standing, facing the marker points the viewer toward Lookout Mountain, pictured in background (left).
October 16, 2021
4. Thoen Stone Marker Monument Area
October 16, 2021
5. Entrance to Thoen Stone Road
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2021. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 19, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
